Rzym i Jerozolima

Aleksander's Antiquities #6

by Aleksander Krawczuk

Trylogia Aleksandra Krawczuka, na którą składają się książki: Herod król Judei, Tytus i Berenika oraz Rzym i Jerozolima, przedstawia skomplikowane i dramatyczne dzieje stosunków między państwem rzymskim a Judeą w dobie rodzącego się chrześcijaństwa. Jej chronologiczne ramy wyznaczają daty wkroczenia Pompejusza do świątyni jerozolimskiej w 63 roku p.n.e. oraz stłumienia powstania żydowskiego w latach siedemdziesiątych n.e. Losy bohaterów: Heroda, go wnuczki Bereniki oraz przyszłych cesarzy Wespazjana i Tytusa ukazane są na szerokim tle walk o władzę w samym Imperium, a także politycznych i doktrynalnych sporów wśród Żydów.

Genres: History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Aleksander Krawczuk is a Polish historian and academic. He was a Minister of Culture from 1986 to 1989.

During World War II he was a soldier in the Home Army . In 1949 he graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy and History of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow . He worked at the same university, specialized in the history of antiquity. Since 1985 - professor. He published many scientific and popular science works on ancient history, as well as novels on historical topics and essays.

In 1986-1989 he was the Minister of Culture of Poland in the governments of Zbigniew Messner and Mieczysław Rakowski . From 1991 to 1997 - Deputy of the Seimas from the Union of Democratic Left Forces.

November 11, 1997 was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland. In 2009 he received the gold medal "For merit in the culture of Gloria Artis"

Reviews

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would usually shave off a star from the 5 star rating if a book were to end as abruptly as this one, but I took it from the 7 star rating I would have given it if I could. The reason is that what I love most about Aleksander Krawczuk's books is -beside his very friendly writing style, sometimes deeply moving and sometimes tongue in cheek - that they are so much more than just history, they are history lessons.

Apparently, this third book in the trilogy is about a love story and the way it impacted the history of their respective ruling families, making and breaking even emperors with their choices. Actually, it is so much more I find fascinating about his books: not only does he idly go on a tangent on random subjects like religion, astrology, esoterism, politics and philosophy by cleverly picking a thread, finding one end and weaving it from the ancient times until the present through the richly colorful tapestry of time, but he helps put a finger on the most pressing issues of our times by presenting facts which show them in a way bringing a new understanding for common readers such as myself.

For instance, after reading the books, I can feel a deeper understanding of what motivates conflicts in the Dead Sea area, the ancient fires kindled by long dead times and still burning strongly, fed by religious fervor and a particular psychology of the people living in the area - the "divine punishment: the worst of all wars - a civil war." At the same time, it helps understand how top level politics are driven by underground machinations so much beyond the understanding of the masses, and how lies and manipulations are the daily utensils for the servings of power, because "so, we have the temporal world constantly before us to make us think that it is tangible and real, while we can barely imagine Eternity because it is infinite. Similarly, ignorance always appears more true than true wisdom." Also, the chapter "Concerning the Beliefs of Greeks" has a very interesting exposé about heaven, hell and the afterlife.

To sum this whole idea up, I'll use this quote:
"However, Plutarch’s story deserves a closer look for several reasons. First of all, certain parts of it are a literary masterpiece of imaginative writing— and remind us just how much brilliant literature the Greeks and Romans have left us, literature which remains barely known and seriously underappreciated. We have been admiring several aspects of the ancient world for centuries and completely overlooking whole regions of it— regions of untamed fantasy, morbid delusion, fears, nightmares, and dreams. Why? Probably because such works and images are fundamentally contrary to what we usually associate with the classical civilization: the snow- white marble of order, moderation, and rationality. Just as importantly, Plutarch’s story illustrates— perhaps we could say ‘captures’— a certain stage of the development of ideas, ideas that have since become deeply embedded in the system of European religious thought."

There are many quotes I would like to bring to the potential readers' attention in order to help show if this book is for them or not, but I will post them in the quotes section and only conclude with this one:


I recommend this book to anyone who seeks more than a thrill or a logical stringing of events, and who enjoys a good challenge in understanding a little more this complicated world we live in.

I received an advance review copy for free via BooSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Astor Teller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Again Aleksander Krawczuk opens a small piece of the past for us to ruminate in through interesting anecdotes, sometimes digressing from the main storyline to delve into the mindset of the ancient past. So you would benefit knowing the history and the main contenders beforehand as here we also plunge into the minor characters who played a crucial role, but now forgotten role, in the year of the four emperors (AD 69).

If you like reading about fake Neros and the fate of the second Jewish Temple in Leontopolis (which I hadn’t heard about before reading this book), the fate of the castrated male wife of Nero and speculate why people acted as they did, this book is well worth to read. As with the other books written by Krawczuk, they are different and contains knowledge I have never encountered before, which makes them very interesting to read.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascynująca lektura!